Exhibitions Laud Influential SoCal Artists

Work by four enormously influential Southern California artists and art professors, Ken Jewesson, Ciel Bergman, Irma Cavat, and Florence “FiFi” Russell, will appear in three exhibitions July 7 to August 6 in the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art with a free, public opening reception at the museum on Thursday, July 7, from 4 to 6 pm.

Finding Beauty in Structure: Works of Ken Jewesson includes more than 30 pieces of art in the museum’s main gallery. Jewesson enjoyed a long career working as a ceramic designer, printmaker, painter, draftsman, collage artist, and jewelry maker. “His work is important as he was among a group of avant-garde artists to introduce modernism to Santa Barbara,” says Judy L. Larson, Askew professor of art history and museum director. “His colorful works represent an intersection of science and art and express his heartfelt sense that art connects us to the divine.”

Two New Acquisitions: Irma Cavat and Ciel Bergman celebrates two pioneering women artists in Santa Barbara and the first women to teach in the UC Santa Barbara Art Department. “They were spirited women, both feminists, both interested in the environment,” Larson says. “Their styles in art were very different, but they are united in their efforts to put a spotlight on the contributions of women artists to modern art. We are so pleased to exhibit these important new acquisitions to the permanent collection.”

Florence ‘FiFi’ Russell: Artist and Art Educator Turns 100 is part of a community-wide 100th birthday celebration for the adventurous artist and long-time Santa Barbara resident. Her watercolors will also be displayed through the month of July at CLAY Studio, Corridan Gallery, 10 West Gallery, Gallery 113, Goleta Valley Art Association/Goleta Library, La Cumbre Center for Creative Arts/Fine Line/Illuminations Galleries, Larry Iwerks Studio Gallery, Santa Barbara Art Association/Faulkner Gallery, Santa Barbara Public Library, and Santa Barbara Fine Art Gallery.

The museum is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 4 pm and 11 am to 5 pm on Saturdays. It’s closed Sundays and college holidays. For more information, please visit westmont.edu/museum or contact the museum at (805) 565-6162.

Summer Hoops Dreams

Westmont, host of the longest running summer high school basketball tournament in California (1973), welcomed 13 teams to campus June 17 to 19. “It’s exciting to get it going again after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic,” says men’s basketball head coach Landon Boucher, who coached in the tournament for four years while at the helm of the San Marcos High School boys’ team. “It’s fun to get everybody back together again, including teams from Orange County, San Luis Obispo, and the local teams.”

It’s also a great way for Boucher and the players to get to know each other and gauge mutual interest. In fact, Jared Brown, the Warriors senior guard, originally signed while a student at Cypress High School in part because of the experience he had at the summer tournament. Cypress was at this year’s tournament along with Everett Alvarez, Flintridge Prep, San Marcos, Calvary Chapel, Kingsburg, Santa Barbara, West Torrance, El Diamante, Mission Prep, Sierra, Thousand Oaks, and Vista Murrieta. 

A familiar face at the tournament was alumnus Daniel Carlin, a standout on Westmont’s 2015 National Runner-Up team. Carlin, who played professionally in Australia, is now head coach of Vista Murrieta. 

In the end, Flintridge Prep beat Thousand Oaks for the championship.